Auto Repair - Work done but problem still exists

[Karenw66]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Texas
While there are many "customer service" issues we've experienced with the shop where our car is being repaired -- my biggest concern is that the vehicle went in to repair a "knock" in the engine. 6 wks and $1600 later ... the engine still knocks.

We were rushed when we picked up the vehicle and due to a wait, we paid and left and told the owner we'd call if there were problems/questions. We called about the knock and he said we could bring it back and he'd "check it out".

We paid by check. Can we stop payment on this check until the repairs are completed? We do intend to return to the shop to have the vehicle repaired.

[BL]

Originally Posted by Karenw66

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Texas
While there are many "customer service" issues we've experienced with the shop where our car is being repaired -- my biggest concern is that the vehicle went in to repair a "knock" in the engine. 6 wks and $1600 later ... the engine still knocks.

We were rushed when we picked up the vehicle and due to a wait, we paid and left and told the owner we'd call if there were problems/questions. We called about the knock and he said we could bring it back and he'd "check it out".

We paid by check. Can we stop payment on this check until the repairs are completed? We do intend to return to the shop to have the vehicle repaired.

No , you can not stop payment .

Yes, you must give them an opportunity to repair it .

Now tell us what their initial diagnoses was , and what repairs they preformed ?

You could always take it to a manufacturer's certified repair facility for an independent DX and written estimate , but you still must give the original shop an opportunity to repair it , unless they are outright incompetent , or do not have the facilities to repair it right.

Then you'd have to sue for the repairs bringing the estimate .

For $1600.00 it sounds like an engine tear down .

[ecmst12]

If they performed the repairs that were listed on your itemized bill, then they are owed the money. If it didn't fix the problem, then additional repairs are needed. When trying to diagnose a difficult problem, a shop will typically go from the cheapest possible solution to the most expensive. After each repair is done, they see if the problem is corrected. If not, they move on to the next stage.

I suspect YOUR next stage is a new or rebuilt engine. That's a lot more then $1600. The shop likely did the right thing by trying something less expensive first. You are welcome to get a second opinion from another shop. But unless a mechanic shows you some evidence that you were charged for a service that they didn't actually DO, you owe the money.